Soft Shell
The latest
Archive
Barriers for whatever the atmosphere dishes out
Coats for every adventure, from sunny singletrack to frigid summits
Keep moving in all conditions
These men's jackets offer versatile protection for a variety of weather
Deer, ducks, and other quarry won't even know you're there
By focusing on breathability, Polartec Alpha works when you’re moving, too
Stay comfortable on the trail, whether you're out for two days or ten
Your best defense against snow, sun, and everything in between
When to wash your shell, how to apply a DWR, and whether to choose a spray-on or wash-in
Dress for success when you get snow, rain, and sunshine, all in 24 hours
The champion of the waterproof-breathable hardshell is getting soft
Barely-there shells for all kinds of conditions
Running to work is hard, especially when you have to contend with cold weather, poor visibility, and icy roads. On those days, your gear matters.
Glow-in-the-dark apparel for after-hours commuting
I ran my first ultra, The North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile on December 7. Save two missing toenails and a pinky toe that looks like it belongs on a cadaver, I think I am far enough away from the pain to write about the gear that helped…
The Halogen can’t do it all, but it does so much so well that it rates as one of the most versatile winter jackets we’ve ever tested.
This gold-standard shell holds its own come wind, rain, snow, or shine—and plays well with others
Outside reviews the best gear in the Summer 2013 Buyer’s Guide, including the Rab Maverick.
A company never satisfied with the status quo has designed two new jackets that are as cozy and comfortable as some of your favorite pieces
In the past 12 months, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Polartec, Gore-Tex, and Stoic have introduced new waterproof-breathable membranes. We won’t bore you with the wonky details of their lofty claims; all you need to know is that each is more breathable than many of the jackets we’ve been raving about for years.
These shells offer equal parts protection and comfort. We reviewed the Columbia Flyin' Dry, with its waterproof, breathable membrane and roomy back pocket; the Marmot Tempo Hoody, which kept our tester toasty on mountain runs and hikes during a windy season; the super-stretchy First Ascent High Season; and others.
Nordic skiers and cold-climate runners will love this aerobic-oriented jacket, which has a wind-blocking front face and a thin, breathable back.
In 2005, I bought a Mountain Equipment Co-Op Composite 2 softshell jacket. It's the best purchase I have ever made. Unfortunately, seven years later it's starting to pile. I need a replacement. What do you recommend? Blair Turner, Saskatoon, SK
Outside picks the essentials for January, including the Westcomb Switch LT Hoody.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Nau 3/4 Length Cocoon jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the K2 Rescue Shovel Plus.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Canada Goose HyBridge Lite jacket
Ice climbing season is coming up and I need to decide whether to buy a hardshell or a softshell. Which do you prefer for climbing?
Four softshells hard enough for any weather, including The North Face's Jammu.
Four softshells hard enough for any weather, including Columbia Sportswear’s Key Three.
Four softshells hard enough for any weather, including Millet’s Trilogy Limited WDS Hoodie.
Four softshells hard enough for any weather, including the Eddie Bauer First Ascent Hyalite.
Cooling Agents: Our favorite ultralight gear for sweltering summer runs, including the North Face Better Than Naked jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Outdoor Research Cirque Windshirt.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'teryx Epsilon SV Hoody.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the First Ascent Sandstone Jacket.
What is your recommendation for a windproof soft shell woman's jacket with good breathability and water resistance? I will be operating Zodiacs in 20- to 40-degree weather in the Russian Far East and need a good range of movement. Thank you.LaurieGaylord, MI
What's the best technical soft shell? — Laura Baltimore, Maryland
I'm looking for a lightly-insulated jacket to ski in and use for general winter wear. I would love something that is waterproof, stretchy, layerable, and versatile. The big thing is, I need it to FIT. I'm a short guy (5'6") with an athletic build. Seems like whenever I try on jackets at a retailer, the sleeve cuffs are dragging on the floor. Any advice for us shorties who are in search of the magic shell? Jon Cleveland, OH
What is the best soft shell for cross-country skiing? Paul Ely, MN
My son has requested a soft shell jacket as a gift. He seeks something similar to his Columbia shell with internal fleece jackets (3-in-1) of his youth. I think he wants the shell and doesn't care if it zips into a liner. Your suggestions? Susan Cedar Rapids, MI
SONIC BOOMThis savvy 17-ouncer still looked fresh after an hour of running it through sticks and stones in the Santa Fe National Forest. The Omega‘s welded Gore WindStopper panels put up quite a fight when I tested the jacket’s hydrophobia by sliding down a snowy embankment—on my back. Verdict? There…
This coat is a two-in-one piece: a zip-in reversible vest (insulated with synthetic fill) plus a water-resistant nylon shell. Wear the combo on a cold day, then sport the flower-printed vest at the bar later that night. spyder.com…
Technically, the streamlined Venta LT is a soft shell. But because most of the jacket (the shoulders, arms, and back) is cut from highly water-resistant fabric—Gore’s best Windstopper stuff—and its seams are taped, it shed steady Seattle rain nearly as well as our favorite storm shells. However, thanks to…
Fast and Light In a word: dense. That’s the best way to describe this thin but surprisingly tough and weatherproof jacket. Because its fabric is much more tightly woven than most soft shells’, it was, according to one tester, “way more windproof and burly than I would have thought.” Even…
1. The best soft shells are jackets that rarely spend time in the closet—they’re always in use. Such was the case with the Cipher. Its chest, tops of the arms, and part of the back panel are armored with Gore Windstopper fabric, while the rest of the jacket…
CAN TAKE A BEATING This past fall, we sent three Boulder-based climbers to Moab’s Castleton Tower with half a dozen soft shells to test. And after a week of shimmying up tight sandstone chimneys and off-widths, the stretchy Current emerged as the sturdiest and most waterproof of the bunch. The…
Down Economic stimulus in the form of a 650-fill down jacket with a soft, shaggy hood and a feminine cut. llbean.com…
Mountain With one zippered pocket out back, a semifitted cut, and wind-cutting stretch polyester, the soft-shell-like Launch was a tester favorite on fall rides. Of course, truth be told, we saw said tester wearing it around town just as often. pearlizumi.com …
A WATERPROOF SOFT SHELL, FOR PEANUTS In the future you’ll be able to get the perfect jacket: soft-shell performance, storm-shell protection, and windbreaker economy. Until then, we have the Gamut, a bargain-priced waterproof-breathable soft shell that has taped seams for real-weather protection. It’s not quite the future—the proprietary fabric wets…
SIMPLE BUT VERSATILE First impression: generic name, not many features. But we decided to give it a chance thanks to its comfy fit, good looks, and the fact that it costs half as much as the most technical jackets here. Final impression: It’s a solid jacket for the money.
Resort Roomier than most resortwear, this waterproof jacket has a brushed-polyester lining, fuzzy collar, and removable hood. patagonia.com…
There’s nothing like slipping into something as soft as butter when your limbs feel like Jell-O. This French terry track jacket features feminine details (an empire waist and side tie) but is as comfortable as your college sweatshirt. oakley.com…
A SOFT SHELL ON STEROIDS Instead of storm-shell-vs.-soft-shell controversy, Switzerland-based Mammut gives us a truce: the Blend, which perfectly splits the difference. The hybrid’s hood, shoulders, and tops of the arms are constructed with a three-layer waterproof-breathable laminate, while the body is made of more-breathable, stretchy Polartec Power Shield. The…
LIKES TO GO FAST We started testing this aptly named piece last spring, skiing Colorado’s Indian Peaks, and never put it away. It’s made with a tough but stretchy version of Gore Windstopper, a soft, light fabric that breathes incredibly well and still repels the elements. Though it’s not completely…
Backcountry/Free-ride FlyLow broke into girls’ gear with a waterproof-breathable and lightly lined soft shell that’s warm enough for skiing but, thanks to ample pit zips, great for touring as well. flylowgear.com…
Layers are key when it comes to summiting peaks. You can drop 20 degrees and gain as much as 6,000 feet in elevation from trailhead to summit. This quick-dry, breathable, mostly nylon top wicks away sweat as you get moving but will also keep you warm when the mercury…
SMART AND SIMPLE The Mojave earned the highest praise a soft shell can get when one tester said, “Awesome. The perfect combination of warmth, weather resistance, and breathability.” Credit goes to the fabric itself—the Mojave is made entirely of Polartec Power Shield, a standout for its standard-setting versatility—and the elegantly…
BEST IN BAD WEATHER The Touring Hoodie is fashioned completely from Polartec Powershield, a time-tested fabric that still provides one of the best combinations of stretchiness, breathability, and protection from the elements. Its sleek, understated design makes it a great choice for everything from day hiking to walking the dog,…
High Tech They make this classy jacket expensive, but the redesigned, built-in heating panels definitely work. On the high setting, you can get up to six 20-minute blasts of heat in the torso, sleeves, and collar. $800; rossignol.com…
FORCE FIELD If you’re often out in the wet conditions typical of places like the Pacific Northwest, a classic Gore-Tex shell like the Albaron is an indispensable outer layer. It’s cut from Pro Shell, Gore’s best material, so it’s the most water- and windproof piece here, with user-friendly pit zips,…
WARMER THAN IT LOOKS When warmth matters most, grab the G50. On a late-fall backpacking trip in New Mexico’s Pecos Wilderness, with temperatures plummeting into the single digits, one tester (who had forgotten his puffy) simply battened down the G50 and said, “I’m fine.” The surprising warmth-to-weight is due to…